Torrential Rains Threaten To Burst Midwest Levees

02:41

April 26, 2011

Thousands of southeastern Missouri residents watched helplessly Monday as water from the Black River crept toward their homes after flowing over the levee protecting their town and trapping some who had to be rescued by boat. (AP) — Thousands of southeastern Missouri residents watched helplessly Monday as water from the Black River crept toward their homes after flowing over a nearby levee. (AP)

The Midwest is bracing for several more days of torrential rain after powerful storms hammered Missouri, Arkansas, Kentucky, Texas, Tennessee and other states Monday.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is considering whether to use explosives to breach a levee in Southeastern Missouri to reduce the amount of water running down the Mississippi River, but that would end up flooding 130,000 acres of farmland. Meanwhile, levees have breached in two places in Poplar Grove, Mo., and more than 1,000 people have headed for higher ground.

We take a look at the storm systems making their way through the Midwest, and speak to Poplar Grove mayor, Ed Degaris.

StlToday: Levees in Poplar Bluff, Mo., ready to burst

This segment aired on April 26, 2011.